The Weight of Prophethood

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The status, honour and spiritual strength of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) became manifest on the Night of Migration, when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his most beloved Companion left Makkatul Mukarramah, journeying towards the city of Madinah.

On this night, with a difficult path ahead, and a journey of many miles, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) walked tip-toed the entire night so that his footprint would not be visible. Because of this, both of his blessed feet began to hurt and were very sore. When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) saw the pain experienced by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) he said, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), climb onto my shoulders.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) climbed onto his shoulders and in the darkness of the night he carried the Master of the Universe (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and climbed up the rocky mountain for several miles until he reached the opening of Ghaar-e-Thaur (the Cave of Thaur). SubhanAllah! What kind of strength and bravery was this!

This is why the Lion of Allah Hazrat Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) himself said to the people, speaking about the bravery of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), “O people! The one who is the bravest amongst all the people is Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).” [Kanzul Ummaal ]

An important point to note here is that when Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) offered to carry Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not say to him, “O Abu Bakr, you do not have the strength to bear the weight of Prophethood,” as he had told Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).

On the day of conquering Makkah, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) entered into the Holy Ka’bah with Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and dropped all of the idols that were placed therein. There were a few idols remaining, which were placed quite high and Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said to the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), place your blessed feet on my shoulders and then drop those idols as well.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “O Ali! You do not have the strength to bear the weight of Prophethood. You climb onto my shoulders and drop those idols.” According to the command of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) went onto the blessed shoulders of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and dropped the remaining idols. [Madaarijun Nubuwwah]

From this we can understand how high the Maqaam and spiritual strength of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) is in comparison to Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), that not only did he carry Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the weight of Prophethood on his shoulders, but he climbed up Mount Thaur in the darkness of the night bearing this weight. SubhanAllah!

May Allah Ta’ala grant us true love for Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and the Taufeeq to sincerely practice on his teachings, Allahumma Ameen.

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